Buffalo Bills News - October 8, 2001

Lewis' hit earns Johnson's wrath [6:55 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
'Mo Lewis yesterday racked up his second knockout of a quarterback in the past three games -- and this week's victim, Rob Johnson, thinks it was a cheap shot.'

Jets 42, Bills 36 [6:54 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
'Smartest play: The Bills opened the game with an onside kick by Jake Arians, which was recovered by DB Lance Brown at his own 41. The Bills ended up losing the ball on a fumble by RB Sammy Morris two plays later, but you have to love the aggressive attitude coach Gregg Williams brought into the game.'

'D' gives Jets a jump-start [6:53 AM]Bergen Record reports:
'"That gave us all a jolt," said defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell in his first visit to Buffalo since leaving the Bills to join Edwards' Jets staff this year. "And we responded very positively. We got the turnover and that helped our offense."'

Lewis seeks improvement [6:51 AM]Bergen Record reports:
'And backup quarterback Alex Van Pelt replaced starter Rob Johnson late in the first quarter and at times looked more comfortable in running the West Coast offense than either Johnson or the Jets' Vinny Testaverde. The Bills gained 473 yards overall, 376 coming on Van Pelt's watch.'

Jets get no points for style [6:50 AM]Albany Times Union reports:
'On the opposite sideline, the other AFC East team with a rookie coach and first-year West Coast attack is searching for answers. The Buffalo Bills fell to 0-4 after their 42-36 defeat to the Jets on Sunday, getting Buffalo off to its worst start since 1985, when Vince Ferragamo was the team's starting quarterback.'

October 7, 2001

Jets 42, Bills 36 [7:20 PM]AP reports:
'The Bills took solace in that they didn't give up. The 36 points were one more than they scored in three previous games combined.'

NY Jets 42, Buffalo 36 [7:18 PM]Sportsticker reports:
'The Buffalo Bills were in a giving mood and the New York Jets were eager to accept.'

Bills lose Johnson with pinched neck nerve [6:15 PM]AP reports:
'Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson, struck in the back of the head by an elbow from Mo Lewis, pinched a nerve in his neck in Sunday's game against the New York Jets.'

Bills find familiar face on other sideline Sunday [4:01 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
"It'll be strange coming up there and being on the other sideline, and dressing in the other locker room, and that'll be strange for me," Cottrell said Thursday. "I'm quite sure I'm going to have some feelings. I don't know what type of feelings, but I'm sure they'll be some type of feelings going on."

Scouting the Jets with John Guy [4:00 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Buffalobills.com sat down with Bills Director of Pro Personnel John Guy to find out what fans should look for and who to watch from the New York Jets Sunday. Guy, who advance scouts the opposition for the Bills, will provide some tips on what fans should look from New York and all throughout the 2001 season.'

Buffalo looks to get offensive Sunday against Jets [3:59 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
"If you score three points, that can fall on more than just one person," Williams said. "I thought we played more of a wide open ballgame in the Indianapolis ballgame, and I think you'll see him coached better [this week.] I've put it back on my own self and make sure he can't be afraid to make a mistake in this game. He's thrown four interceptions, and just one of them has been a bad throw - three of them should have been caught. That's other people doing their specific job also, and I've got to a better job with him."

Retooling AFC East rivals meet Sunday [3:57 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Both teams started the season with new headcoaches who were defensive specialists, with Buffalo hiring Gregg Williams from Tennessee, and New York hiring Herman Edwards from the Tampa Bay organization. With the new coaches bringing in new systems on offense and defense, the teams have sputtered out of the gate, and are looking to put all the pieces together this Sunday.'

Jets-Bills scouting report [3:35 PM]Bridgewater Courier News reports:
'The Bills' 29th-ranked, no-name defense is led in tackling by cornerback Antoine Winfield, which tells the Jets all they need to know. Expect Vinny Testaverde to take aim downfield for receivers Wayne Chrebet and Laveranues Coles, who played the best of any Jet in Monday night's loss to the 49ers.'

Johnson, Bills looking for a confidence boost [9:31 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'He could use one for numerous reasons: It might pacify a stadium full of fans growing skeptical of his ability to get the job done; it would increase the confidence level of teammates in him and the Bills' offense; and, perhaps most importantly, it would bolster his own confidence.'

Jets mirror Bills in approach and problems [9:30 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Bills and Jets also have many of the same problems. Both have inconsistent offenses that have trouble scoring and their defenses rank at or near the bottom of the NFL in several categories.'

Let us count the ways Williams has lost his [9:28 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'When Williams assembled his staff, he should have realized that one of the most critical jobs was offensive line coach. On a team with major offensive malfunctions, it ranks in importance just behind the offensive and defensive coordinators. Yet the new guy put the line in the hands of Ronnie Vinklarek, who has just flimsy pro experience.'

Williams stays course in pursuit of Bills' first victory [6:24 AM]D and C reports:
'In staff meetings, he's had to keep his cool and be just as encouraging with young assistants, six who've never coached at this level. So far -- and it could get worse before it gets better -- Williams, 43, is drawing high praise from his people.'

Party carries on at One Bills Drive [6:23 AM]D and C reports:
'But these fans -- hearty souls who have lived through the tumult and heartbreak of back-to-back 2-14 seasons in 1984 and '85 when Buffalo was a national laughingstock -- have a firm grip on reality. They understand that this young team is not very good, and they realize that while the leaves have just begun to change costumes, it is already a given that unless 10 AFC teams fold operations, the Bills are not going to the playoffs this year.'

Jets have the same problems as Bills [6:22 AM]D and C reports:
'They were beaten by the San Francisco 49ers 19-17 last Monday night, giving up 233 yards rushing in their first home game since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Edwards labeled his team's effort "embarrassing," a word Williams can steal in summing up Buffalo's first three games.'

Q & A with Travis Henry [6:21 AM]D and C reports:
'[Q:] What do you think about Buffalo's favorite delicacy, the chicken wing? [A:] "They're nice. These are the best wings I've had since I've been alive. We've got wings down in Florida, but they're not like these wings up here. These are just right, you can't get any better."'

Scouting report [6:20 AM]D and C reports:
'The Bills have to get the running game going, and there are no excuses today against one of the worst teams in the league against the run.'

Nothing to lose for Bills [6:19 AM]Toronto Sun reports:
'"We haven't had to deal with this kind of adversity around here, that's probably why some of us guys said some things we didn't really mean (following last week's 20-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers)," Riemersma said.'

Buffalo May Be Remedy for Jets [6:18 AM]New York Times reports:
'If they lose to the Bills, who are reeling from changes in systems and from a rash of injuries, the Jets' season could be over.'

Herm or Squirm [6:17 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'The Jets, languishing under new coach Herman Edwards, desperately need a breakout game today over the lowly Bills to prevent the rapid spread of doubt, according to several veterans. Make no mistake, there are some players wondering about the new West Coast offense and the new 4-3 defensive scheme. Curtis Martin, stressing the need to execute the game plan "the way it's coached," said: "I think that's important for our confidence, even more so than a win."'

Jets Bid to Help Victims [6:16 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'"We have a season-long program called Twin Towers Tuesday, where our players are going out into the community to visit families, schools and fire stations affected by the tragedy," said Bob Parente, the Jets' vice president for business operations. "The Jets-a-thon is a way for our fans to join our efforts."'

Win or bust vs. Bills [6:15 AM]New York Post reports:
'Plain, simple and bluntly put, this is the Jets' plight through three games of the 2001 season: If they do not defeat the struggling Bills today at Ralph Wilson Stadium, their hopes and dreams of being a playoff team with Super Bowl aspirations this season are finished.'

Jet overhaul's just begun [6:14 AM]New York Post reports:
'When Curtis Martin said Thursday that it is more important for the 1-2 Jets to build confidence in Buffalo today than to win, it tells you that their best player understands this team is on the remake. That doesn't mean that 9-7 and a playoff spot are out of reach. But it is clear Edwards thinks the Jets need an overhaul to become a true contender.'

Miffed Moulds making stink [6:13 AM]New York Post reports:
'Bills coach Gregg Williams tried to soften the issue, saying, "In the first game, I really believe [the Saints] did a good job of doubling him. In the second game he was on pace to have a bunch of catches and he had a couple drops and then got hurt and was out of the game for three fourths of game. "[Last week] he battled hard and wasn't able to go full speed until Sunday. I appreciate him answering the bell to play Sunday. He had a couple opportunities in the game and, uncharacteristic for him, he dropped a fade pass."'

Edwards Warns About Taking Bills Lightly [6:12 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'The way the Bills are playing, this seems like the perfect time for the Jets to get things right. Quarterback Rob Johnson is banged up - who wouldn't be, with 13 sacks? - and he's feeling the heat of being chosen over Doug Flutie, who has led the Chargers to a 3-0 start.'